Day Hike - Hidden Lake & Palisades Lakes

We entered through the White River park entrance before the timed entry window, driving along paved roads in good condition and arriving at the Sunrise Point parking area at 7:00 a.m.  The parking area was already beginning to fill.  There is no restroom at this parking area.  Our route went down from the parking area, past Clover Lake, and up and over a low ridge to the junction with the Hidden Lake trail.  Our path climbed  the (roughly) 400 feet up to Hidden Lake.  There are good rest spots along the shore of Hidden Lake.  We descended back to the Palisades Lake trail and continued north.  After climbing another low ridge the route passes through very appealing alpine meadows.  Wildflowers were blooming and it was very colorful.  There is a privy beyond the campsites at Palisades Lake.  During this trip we saw a deer with a spectacular set of antlers and two of our party members (traveling slightly ahead of the group) saw a mother bear and cub!  The photos of these wildlife were fun to share with friends and co-workers.  Our party included some newer hikers and some who were returning to the sport after prolonged absences form it.  They remarked how much they enjoyed the challenge and the reward this trip offered.